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I. LOVE SHOULD BE EXERCISED BY US AFTER THE EXAMPLE OF THE LOVE OF GOD (ver. 11). What, then, were the features of the Divine love, and what ought to be those of our love?

1. The love of God was universal. He expressed it to all, good and bad, worthy and unworthy.

2. More than this, the love of God has been conspicuous toward His enemies (Romans 5:6, 8, 9). In this respect also we are bound to imitate the Divine example.

3. This is farther demanded, though it should be at the cost of the greatest self-denial. It need not be asked at what expense did God express His love for sinners? What, then, shall we refuse to suffer for the benefit of others?

4. Nor let us overlook that our love, like God's, should be aggressive. We are not to wait until we are besought. God did not so deal by us.

5. To complete all, love should be constant. Nothing should weary it or cause it to relax.

II. IN THE EXERCISE OF THIS LOVE WE ENJOY COMMUNION WITH GOD (ver. 12). "No man hath seen God at any time." It is as if it had been said, although "no man hath seen God at any time, yet, if we love one another, God dwelleth in us."

1. When we engage in duties of brotherly love we are conscious of the Divine approval. And this applies to all duties of brotherly love, whether those that relate to our immediate connections, or the Church of Christ, or the world.

2. There is a sustaining sense of the Divine cooperation. God is with us in them.

3. He will bless us and our work!

III. THUS ALSO "HIS LOVE IS PERFECTED IN US." This expression may be understood either of the love of God, as it is perfected when it produces love in us, or of our love when it is perfected in the exercises of brotherly love.

1. The love of God is perfected in us. From the beginning He had a design of love toward every one of His people. But that design is not carried out into completion until His grace secures the heart, and fills it with His love.

2. Or the saying may be understood of our love when it is perfected in the exercises of brotherly love. The Divine love is perfected when it inflames our souls, and makes us like God in love. And our love, thus kindled by the love of God, is perfected in the deeds of charity.

IV. IN OUR BROTHERLY LOVE WE ARE FURNISHED WITH THE EVIDENCE OF OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, as it is seen to arise out of the indwelling of the Spirit. "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit." These fruits do not grow on the soil of nature. They are the plants of grace alone, and proclaim their heavenly origin.

(J. Morgan, D. D.)

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KJV: Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

WEB: Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.